MHLS - Reaching Out to New Residents

Reaching Out to New Residents

Background:

The Mid-Hudson Valley is one of the fastest growing regions in NY State. Consider the following:

Four out of the five counties served by the Mid-Hudson Library System have experienced population increases above the New York State average of 5.5%. Putnam County leads with an increase of 14.1%.
Dutchess County, which houses the largest number of member libraries, is the third fastest growing county in New York State.
Commuting has become a way of life in the Hudson Valley.
Changes in family structure: smaller families, fewer traditional families, and more dual-income households have influenced the daily living patterns and needs of area residents.
*For more details about the impact of new residents on the Hudson Valley and general trends likely to impact the area, visit www.midhudson.org/MHLS/2022.

MHLS Project Provided Resources for New Residents
Through the Your Library: Gateway to the Community Project, the Mid-Hudson Library System assisted libraries in serving newcomers with special programs and services. New residents learned about their communities, met new people, experienced the library, and obtained valuable resources through library outreach efforts piloted in 10 target libraries during 2004. Below are some of the basics to reaching out to new residents, developed through this project:

Why Reach Out to New Residents?

To create a greater sense of community.
New residents typically have many information needs.
New residents are future supporters of the library (as voters, volunteers, Friends, trustees and donors).

How to Reach Out to New Residents:

1. Welcome Newcomers to the Community

Offer a tour of the library and an introduction to the available resources for new residents.
Send them a welcome letter from the Library Director. Use this sample to get started. Be sure to print it out on library letterhead.
Find out who is new to the community by using the Library Card Survey at the circulation desk, and/or contacting your County's Real Property Tax Office for a list of names and addresses of new homeowners and then send out a "Welcome" mailing.
Put a sign outside the library that says something like, "The Library Welcomes New Residents."

2. Welcome Newcomers to the Library

Develop a New Resident Resource Kit. Kit resources may include:
When issuing a new library card:
- Offer to orient the new users to your library - be sure to tell them about Request-a-Title, renewing online and the ability to return items to any MHLS member library - these can be big time saves for a new resident;
- Be sure to alert the patron to relevant library policies;
- Let the new patron know about upcoming events at the library;
- Offer to add the new patron to your mailing list.

3. Use the Library Registration Card Survey to learn why new patrons, especially new residents, are prompted to use your library. The results can help you target your marketing activities for maximum exposure. To use this survey:

Customize the card with your library's name, print it out and then cut it into fours.
Distribute the survey to each new patron who obtains a library card. If they check off "new to the community", you can provide them with a New Resident Resource Kit!
Examine the cards monthly to determine why most patrons are visiting your library.

4. Celebrate new library card registrants!

Give something to those who get a library card. Consider a trinket for adults and a special sticker or lollipop for kids.

5. Offer library programs geared specifically to new residents.

Visit the EZ Program Database for ideas. (Note - Type "new resident" in the keyword box and a list of new resident programs offered in member libraries should appear.)

6. Market the library as a resource for new residents.

Use this sample press release as a starting place.

7. Link to and promote Helpful Links for Living in the Hudson Valley, a resource developed primarily for new residents, on your web site. Use this flyer to spread the word.

8. Consider a customer service refresher to enhance the overall service environment of your library: Contact Sue Hermans at shermans@poklib.org, or (845) 485-3445 x 3313 to arrange a session at your library.